Child Just Diagnosed with AML (Leukemia)

I am so sorry to hear this. I can only imagine what your family is going through. :( One of the easiest things that you could do is to make food for the family. Especially items that they can freeze. Do you live close to the family? If so, maybe try and set up one night a week where the sibs have dinner at your house. I agree with Tracy M...a lot of times the sibs do get lost inthe shuffle. You can also make little care packages for your neice. Coloring books and crayons, books, comfy jammies, etc. Especially if she's going to be spending a lot of time in the hospital, you want her to have things to do and for her to feel comfortable. Offer to watch the sibs on a weekend so that the parents can have a night out together. I think that you are a wonderful person for offering to help out! Best of luck to you and your family.

First off, I'm sorry you and your family has to go through such a difficult thing. Coming from experience, as my DD has been in Minneapolis Childrens Hospital for almost a month now, I know how rough hospital stays and the stress toll that comes with are. If you really want to help out, offer to make a website to let other family/friends whats going on with your neice. When my DD was first admitted, my phone was ringing off the hook, and it was annoying answering the same questions over and over. There are free sites for sick people to let everyone know whats going on and how they are doing. I currently am using a site (caringbridge.org) its very simple and I just emailed everyone i knew the link to my DD's page and posted it on my Facebook. That way everyone can see how my daughter is doing and can sign her guestbook and leave nice messages for her. Its a great site. Im sure it would be of use to your family.

First and for most the best thing you can start by doing is Praying. Pray everyday, and start a prayer chain. Second, your Niece's mom and dad will be super busy and really wont know what to ask for or what help is needed so start with the small things; dinner or even a dinner calendar if friends and family would like to help, helping with the older children, even driving the family to and from the hospital so they dont have to worry about this (so they can make phone calls if needed), finally just be an ear and a shoulder. This will help you in coping with this and it will also help them tremendously.

I am very sorry to hear about your niece. I will pray all goes well. I have a friend whos daughter was diagnosed with lukemia right before her 6th birthday, and i know one thing that was really helpful was the employee's of the company we worked for all chiped in money so she could take a week off when she needed and it was paid for. the vacation and sick time goes quick and i know she really apreciated having that week off to be with her daughter right away. I like the idea of taking turns bringing meals and just offer to be there when help is needed. Maybe watch the kids, or help clean, etc. It will be a long process so just stay positive and offer to be there for the family with whatever they may need.

I really don't have any advice to give because I have never been in this situation or known anyone who was. I just wanted to say that I will be praying for you and your family. God Bless You All ~

i am sorry for what your going thru. i will keep you guys in my prayers. god bless.

Many times parents can't take off as much time from work as they would like to be at the hospital with their kids. If they work (and you don't, or have a flexible schedule), you could offer to be at the hospital with your niece while they're at work. I know as a parent this would make me feel a lot better if I knew a family member was with them at the hospital.

One other thing, look up Team In Training, it's the fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm training for my second marathon with TNT while raising money for leukemia research. There are team "heroes", people that are battling or are survivors. You could contact them about having your niece be a hero. People on the team will raise money in her name. It would probably mean a lot to her parents.

Best of luck to you and your family in this hard time!

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My sister had leukemia. I agree that one of the best things you can do is dinners. I love the idea of the website. Also taking the other kids out once in a while can help. Sometimes the siblings get lost in the shuffle :(

There is alot a family can do to help. Be an ear to listen if the parents needs to verbalize and a hug is always helpful. Praying especially if the family is religious. Volunteer to watch the other kids. Also the 2 oldest depending on their age may need diversions to get away from the sadness in the house. The mom will be very busy running back and forth to the hospital and if family and friends take turns cooking dinner and brings the meals every other day, that would be one less thing the mom will have to worry about. She will be receiving radiation and chemo therapy and she may need something help her keep her mind off it. With chemo she will lose her hair, if someone can crochet or knit they can make her cute little hats. She will also be throwing up and start losing weight. There may be talk about bone marrow transplants. If there is it is helpful for the family to get tested and try to get friends tested. It is hard to tell how the little girl will handle it, because the child who we have been dealing with is 14 years old and he has bone and lung cancer. But these are some of the things we did for him. It is a very hard road for the family and their extended family and friends can help. Sorry I don't know about that Children's Hospital, but I know that Children's Hospital of Los Angeles is great. I will pray for your niece and her family.

My brother was diagnosed when he was 3, I was in 11th grade. The most help I think I was, was that I would bring him a car or cards and play so that my dad and step mother could walk out of the room for a few minutes (they never left him, even with 2 other children in their home, i did not live with them) Or they could get dinner other than caffiteria food. Also, I would go to the store for them. If they needed tooth paste, or whatever, I would do all the side running I could, so they didn't have to think about that. They had family that kept the 2 other children at their home while they were away in the hospital. Prayers to you and your family, and just do what you can, and it will be helpful.

This is going to be a really trying time for your brother/sister. If you can, get together with them and ask them to give you the dates of the doctor appointments. Also, put in the schedule of the older siblings school. If you can be available to drop off/pick up; that would be very helpful. If you can be at their house while they are at the appointment, just throwing in a load of clothes will help them out. Good luck to you and your family.
Lucy B.

I am so sorry that your family is walking this path. I found that when my husband was going thru cancer treatments and our children were young many people helped us. Some made meals esp. soup that was easy to heat and eat when bone weary. Some gave money to eat in the cafeteria, some came and did housework, laundry,yardwork. One person couldn't do anything personally and paid a kid to come do the yard. We had people that watched over the children and even had to spend the night several times to make it easier on for me. The family will be bone weary and need the strength of notes and cards so they know they have support of those around them. My prayers are with you.